As professional photographers, we try to draw inspiration from anywhere we can. Often, we watch and learn from each other. We use social media platforms such as Facebook or Pinterest to comment, pin or tag images that we think are beyond fabulous. Images we want to recreate. Images we want to put our own spin on.

When we come across an image that leaves us yearning to see more from that artist….Or when we come across an image that makes us do the ever famous head tilt to one side, wondering just how they managed to acheive such a capture; we become inspired. Or at least I do.

I love coming across images that challenge me to think out of the box. Images that I never would have been as bold to try to before. Images that literally make me feel what the subjects are feeling in the picture.

In the past few months I have been trying to challenge myself to open both eyes. Stop. Look around. Inspiration was just passing me by and I was missing it. For so long I thought that I needed to re- create images I have seen the “greats” in the industry do. Thinking that if I could just get that same capture, I would be just as amazing as them. WRONG!

It was a rainy day. I remember that because it didnt help the rut-like feeling I was in. I had to cancel a session. I felt completely dejected. I glanced over to the mail pile that just seems to get higher and higher each week. (I am a horrible mail sorter)

I picked up an inStyle magazine that was just laying there for weeks and flipped through the pages. I came across a Ralph Lauren Perfume Ad that had a couple in the middle of the field. Totally sexy. Totally gorgeous. Totally chic!

There it was. In one simple perfume ad. I remember feeling like I was just slapped with the ah-ha stick! THERE  REALLY IS INSPIRATION EVERYWHERE! That same afternoon I went for my daily Starbucks beverage and stood behind a couple in line that seemed to be glued together at the seams. Truly inseperable. She brushed her fingers through his hair and he kissed the tip on her nose. BOOM! I was inspired AGAIN! Was all this happening in front of me for all this time and I never thought to actually look?

In the same day I gained inspiration from that magazine, a real life couple I just happened to be people watching in Starbucks–I had changed my entire outlook on my approach to my sessions and photography as a whole. Inspiration wasn’t just some pin on a board. It wasn’t some tag or shared photo flooding the Facebook Newsfeed. Inspiration was life. Life was inspiration.

So…as the weeks went on I started drawing my inspiration from everything. I would take advantage of every catalog that graced my doorstep. I would sit at Starbucks for an extra hour, just to watch couples in love share a Latte. But here is my biggest Friday Favorite secret of all—a place I enjoy getting inspiration from the most:

Movies. Particularly anything made from a Nicholas Sparks novel, but yes, movies.

We go to movies and are sometimes left laughing. In tears. Scared. Nervous. Excited. We are left FEELING something. I would have never thought before my “ah-ha moment” to actually WATCH the movie for inspiration….but now its like my favorite thing to do. I watch the characters fall in love on the screen. Flirt. Play around. Cuddle. Make out. I watch them reach for each others hand, dance on the big screen, and run into each others arms. THIS IS ALL INSPIRATION TO ME.  It has inspired me to let my couples on each and every shoot…just be them! Not a lot of forced, awkward, chin here, chin there poses. Natural. Real love. In the moment. Those are the images I want to capture.

Try it. The next movie you go see, try it. Watch their body language. Their natural personality come through in the character. Get inspired by love being acted out in front of you. Watch how a love story is really acted out. Then with your couples…watch them! Watch their body language. If they are shy, quirky, silly, glued together at the seams. Whatever and however their love plays out…dont force it with awkward poses everytime. Hold up your camera and dont put it down. Dont stop shooting. Give them direction if they get lost…but their love will most certainly bring them back to the most perfect pose of all; THE REAL LOVE POSE!

Tonight I am going to see “The Lucky One” with my husband and I plan on GENUINUELY watching this film. I am going to gain every piece of inspriation I can from it. This is a very REAL love story and I cant wait to see what moves me this time! : )

KEEP BOTH EYES OPEN. SHOOT WITH YOUR HEART. PAY ATTENTION TO THE MOMENTS HAPPENING RIGHT BEFORE YOU–Otherwise they truly will pass you by.

Stay Happy, Beautiful and Fabulous!

Kaitlin Noel